The first highly illustrated, comprehensive guide to light straw clay ? a high performance, low-impact, durable building material
Light straw clay ? straw mixed with clay slip ? is a versatile, easy-to-use wall building material. Also called ?slip-straw,” its durability has been proven in beautiful, centuries-old buildings across Northern Europe and in modern high-performance buildings in North America.
Building code compliant in the US and using ?waste” materials with high insulation value and excellent moisture handling qualities, it’s both high-performance and low-impact. Yet until now, there has been no practical guide to using the material in a wide variety of construction and renovation projects.
Distilling decades of experience, Essential Light Straw Clay Construction is a fully illustrated step-by-step guide, ideal for both the DIYer and professional designer and builder alike. It covers:
? Material specifications, performance, and when and where to use it
? Estimating quantities, costs, and sourcing
? Illustrated, step-by-step guidance for mixing and installation, including ?slip-chip” variations
? Detail drawings for various wall systems including stud, timber, and pole framing, Larsen trusses, I-joists, plus retrofits
? Code references, compliance, and best practice
? Finishing and maintenance techniques
? Additional resources.
Lydia Doleman, a licenced contractor, taught carpentry and natural building at Solar Energy International in Colorado and was lead ecological builder for Portland’s City Repair project. She’s created beautiful, high-performance, low-impact buildings across the Northwest, from Portland’s first permitted straw bale home and The Rebuilding Center’s cob entryway, to a 3,300-sq. f light clay straw brewery. She’s written for The Last Straw Journal and Permaculture Activist and appeared on NBC News and HGTV’s Off Beat America. Lydia lives in southern Oregon.
